{"id":2378,"date":"2022-05-17T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/?p=2378"},"modified":"2024-09-26T08:29:48","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T14:29:48","slug":"esl-songs-kids-teens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/esl-songs-kids-teens\/","title":{"rendered":"ESL Songs for Kids & Teens + How to Use Them in the Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ESL songs are a fantastic and fun way to help students of all ages learn English. Young learners and teens<\/a>, in particular, enjoy learning with ESL games and activities, and music can engage your students and even \u201ctrick\u201d them into practicing new language points! Brendan, a middle school teacher in China<\/a>, shares his favorite ways to use music in the TEFL classroom.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music is important in language teaching because our brains naturally process information and new language more easily if it’s presented in a given rhythm. As a result, ESL music activities can and should be used in your classroom whenever possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is music important in language teaching?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When applied effectively, the rhythm of ESL music and songs can be a highly engaging teaching strategy. Songs also grab your students\u2019 attention and can even help you develop classroom routines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhythm aids language learning.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Students of all ages are naturally inclined to learn certain information more efficiently if delivered in rhythm. For example, think back to your own time as a young student. Stories, nursery rhymes, and even the alphabet were likely presented in a musical rhythm. Imagine the difficulty in mastering the alphabet with the letters scrambled in random order. Even as adults, we are much more likely to learn the words to a song than we are to learn the words of a speech that we hear a few times. Why? Due to music and rhythm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music grabs attention.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, few things get ESL students\u2019 attention quite like a catchy song. You will inevitably have students that struggle to focus their attention during your lessons. And, sometimes, students will have a more difficult time grasping certain language points that you present. You can help your students by using ESL songs and music to present language points in a more accessible way. Plus, those students who hadn\u2019t been focusing? You\u2019ll have their attention now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re new to teaching, you\u2019ll want to get initial training and qualification with a TEFL certificate<\/a>. You can explore our online TEFL courses<\/a> to get started!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Using
A teacher incorporates a song in an ESL class with young learners.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How can music be used in the ESL classroom?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Music as a lesson activity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Music aids language learning, so, it\u2019s a good idea to use songs in your lessons to present different language points or vocabulary. One of my personal favorite ESL activities and songs is using the well-known “Macarena” (you’ll find the link in the song suggestions below) to supplement my teaching the twelve months of the year to my fourth- and fifth-grade ESL classes in China. It is a fun way to have your students practice the pronunciation of the months, as well as their order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for implementing music in your lessons:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Music can and should be used in the ESL classroom as a relevant means of supporting your instruction \u2013 the keyword being \u201crelevant.\u201d Things to consider when choosing what song to use during your lesson are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n